Ashburton College’s Fletcher Arnold top-scored with 22 points in the clash with Rangiora. Photo Ashburton GuardianBasketball fans at the Oxford Street Stadium on Tuesday left smiling, despite Ashburton College losing one of the two games played there.

The senior girls lost a close encounter to competition favourites Rangi Ruru 67-59, while the senior boys were on fire from the three-point line in a good battle to beat Rangiora High School 95-63.

The boys had faced the top seeds in their two Thompson Trophy games, losing both narrowly, and headed to Oxford Street determined to win. They were ahead 38-33 at halftime, but then let loose a superb shooting display that Rangiora couldn’t match.

Coach Pip Johnston said the boys started slowly and took a bit of time to get into the game.

“When they started to pick up the defensive effort, we got turnovers and turned them into points – a great team effort with everybody looking for the open player.

“It was a way better shooting night for us as well. Quinn (Ritchie) and Nick (Fechney) lit it up from the outside knocking down some nice three-pointers.

“I knew it was only a matter of time for us to get a win in this competition and we’ll look to keep building on it.”

Leading points scorers were Fletcher Arnold (22), Ritchie (16) and Fechney (13).

Arnold heads to Auckland for the national under-19 tournament over Queen’s Birthday weekend, as a member of one of the two Canterbury Combined teams. Johnston is also going, as associate coach.

Round three of the Whelan Trophy competition saw the Ashburton College senior girls host unbeaten number one seed Rangi Ruru. Having not been challenged in their first two games so far this season the college girls knew a tough encounter was on the cards.

College started strongly on defence, intent on making Rangi’s Year 13 Junior Tall Fern, Esra McGoldrick, earn her points. This, along with some solid work in the offensive paint from forwards Sophie Adams and Ashlee Strawbridge gave the college girls a 17-10 lead at the quarter.

College continued to put the pressure on early in the second quarter, at one point holding a 12-point buffer. With some of its key players in foul trouble, Rangi Ruru was forced to switch its defensive tack. The result paid dividends, with college only ahead by three at the half, 29-26.

With some adjustments at the half, college came out strongly in the third quarter scoring regularly through Strawbridge and guard, Liberty Ross. On the wings Grace Adams and Dani McArthur pressured the ball well, forcing Rangi into some tough shots, allowing college to hold a 49-42 lead into the final quarter.

Rangi Ruru upped the defensive pressure in the fourth, using its size up front to trap the college guards. Some early turnovers and rushed offence saw the scoreline narrow as the quarter progressed. College was unable to adapt to the full court pressure and with four minutes remaining Rangi Ruru took the lead.

McGoldrick’s 36-point haul, with 13 in the final quarter, took Rangi Ruru through to the final whistle with the 67-59 margin in their favour.

Strawbridge knocked in 20 points to top score for college, while Sophie Adams’ strong showing in the paint saw her grab 16 points.

College Coach Andrew Shepherd was extremely proud of his girls’ effort, but disappointed they couldn’t keep up the intensity in the final stanza.

“Last season Rangi beat us twice by 20-plus points, we’ve made some huge improvements in the off-season and are right there with these top teams.”

© The Ashburton Guardian - 25 May 2017